"According to Japanese legend, a young man named Sen no Rikyu sought to learn the elaborate set of customs known as the Way of Tea. He went to tea-master Takeeno Joo, who tested the younger man by asking him to tend the garden. Rikyu cleaned up debris and raked the ground until it was perfect, then scrutinized the immaculate garden. Before presenting his work to the master, he shook a cherry tree, causing a few flowers to spill randomly onto the ground.

 

To this day, the Japanese revere Rikyu as one who understood to his very core a deep cultural thread known as wabi-sabi. Emerging in the 15th century as a reaction to the prevailing aesthetic of lavishness, ornamentation, and rich materials, wabi-sabi is the art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in earthiness, of revering authenticity above all. In Japan, the concept is now so deeply ingrained that it’s difficult to explain to Westerners; no direct translation exists." - I loved reading about this legend on UTNE.com I can totally visualize the neat garden grounds and the flowers randomly falling and landing where they may and how this scene perfectly captures the essence of wabi sabi.

 

Here are a few more things that might help you uncover some ideas relating to wabi sabi:

I have loved creating and sharing the Creative Spark Newsletter-- it's an idea that I feel will always be fluid and be a work in progress as I find different ways to share prompts and inspiration for our creative practice. I hope it will always continue to grow and evolve in the same way I hope we always continue to grow and evolve as artists! I've been thinking a lot about how I want to move forward with CSN and after a lot of brainstorming, I am excited to start sharing the details with you!

 

But first, THANK YOU for being a part of this newsletter and community! You continue to keep me excited, curious, and inspired! :) It wouldn't be the same without you and I don't think it would be going in the direction I'd like to take it if it wasn't for our year(s) together!

 

Starting in January, I will pull a prompt card from the Creative Spark Deck and use it as our starting point.

I hope you'll join me for the parts that speak to you and that we continue to create together! Once I finalize everything you will be the first to know and since you're part of this list, you will automatically get all the updates.

The next prompt will be sent out Dec 6th! Until then, enjoy the rest of your month, Happy Thanksgiving, and have a great weekend!